On the first Friday of every month, the old brick warehouse at 450 Harrison Avenue in the South End opens its studio doors for the SoWa First Friday Art Walk. More than eighty working artists welcome visitors into their actual studios for the evening, with the district’s galleries joining in — so you’re not looking at a curated show so much as stepping into the middle of work in progress.

It’s free, family-friendly, and one of the most direct ways in New England to buy art from the person who made it, or just talk shop about how a piece came together. Pair it with dinner nearby and it makes a complete night out — the South End’s restaurants sit within a couple of blocks, and food trucks often post up in warmer months.